Gallup says only 29% of Millennials are engaged at work. With 16% actively disengaged.(Meaning that they’re actually getting paid to undermine their place of work.) That means over 55% are in the middle. They’re stuck in limbo.Passionate with nothing to be passionate about. And Millennials aren’t the only ones.  We’re seeing this kind of detachment throughout our workforce. Meanwhile, it’s a fundamental human need to feel like one is part of something bigger than themselves. Something different. Something better. Something they can believe in.Yet, when is the last time you’ve been inspired by an agency website, manifesto or work guide? Is it because agencies don’t know how to advertise what makes them special,or don’t they have anything worth saying? Considering just how little we invest in training and communications, you have to wonder.  Perhaps if we did invest in these efforts, again, we could start a virtuous cycle. One where the continual sharpening of our vision, mission, values and skills would not only inspire our people but attract more clients and press. Welcome to Episode 49 of Navigating the Fustercluck—a podcast full of snackable insights to help you navigate the everchanging world of creativity & marketing. My name is Wegs, like eggs with a W, joining you from Deaf Mule Studios in Dallas, where today we ask…Will Agencies Ever Learn? (The Importance of Education & Training.) It’s all about our culture. That’s what every agency says. But ask them what their culture is, and few- very few– can tell you what exactly their culture is. What defines it. What I can tell you is that few agencies have learning cultures. A commitment to expanding the knowledge and skills of their people. To growing their business by growing their people. A commitment that includes training programs. Educational support. Speakers. Webinars. Writing books. Creating content. Like blogs and podcasts. One company that gets this is the iconic design shop, IDEO. Educational Products IDEO is so committed to training & education that their programs have become a product. You can earn a certificate in areas ranging from presentation skills to design thinking. They actually make money on their efforts!  Imagine if other agencies looked at their educational efforts this way. A key point is that this doesn’t have to be a top down effort. Grassroots In fact, it can be very grassroots. Take Talk Shop, for instance. Nina Bressau & Robert Stahl work for Integer, an Omnicom agency in Dallas. A planner and a creative, Nina and Robert, are young teammates on the rise. That said, they both felt that their presentation skills could stand for some improvement. Then again, whose can’t?  So, they explored all the programs available, Toastmasters, etc. None, however, felt quite right for advertising. That inspired them to create their own program, Talk Shop. Meeting once a month, and open to all Omnicom employees, Talk Shop has now spread to other Omnicom offices. Don’t be surprised if it goes global. I’ve been a guest speaker at a Talk Shop special event. And walked away impressed by the concept and its creators. Kudos to Nina & Robert! Personal Experiences Personally, I lead a team that created a weekly blog that lasted 6 ½ years.Provoke Weekly was a great internal and external tool. One that expanded both knowledge and PR opportunities. We also created Provoke University, an inhouse education and training program featuring essential skills and the latest trends. We even wrote a book that clients and new business prospects loved. A book that served as hymnal to get our entire team on the same page. All these efforts were under my direction, but were lead by amazing young talent that used their experiences to lift their careers. Cost How much did it cost is the question everyone wants ...